French Doors FAQs
In this article, we're answering all of our most commonly asked questions about French Doors...
WHY ARE THEY CALLED FRENCH DOORS?
It’s most likely that, as the name suggests, French Doors come from France!
It’s well known that French Doors were very popular in 17th Century France, where they would serve as a large window which would open inwards to give access to a balcony. However, opinions are divided as to where the doors originate from – some think that they might actually come from Italy or Greece. Either way, French Doors add that traditional European flair to a property that gives an elegant, classic look!
Originally, French doors would have been most commonly made from wood, but nowadays more robust materials like PVC and Aluminium are used to create the designs loved by homeowners around the country.
CAN I PAINT FRENCH DOORS?
No, we wouldn’t recommend painting your new Aluminium or PVC French Doors. If you do, it’s likely that the paint won’t adhere properly to the surface, and as a result will crack and chip off easily. This will not only not look good but also devalue the property – it’s a lose-lose situation, so we think it’s not worth taking that risk.
The good news is that Aluminium and PVC French Doors are available in multiple different colours to suit any property – including classic white, modern anthracite grey, and striking black.
DO I NEED PLANNING PERMISSION TO INSTALL FRENCH DOORS?
Planning permission is only required when you’re building something new, making a major change to a property (such as building an extension), or if you’re changing the purpose of a property, for example from residential to commercial use. Therefore, you shouldn’t need planning permission for installing French doors.
However, it’s a good idea to still submit a building notice to your local authority to satisfy building regulations. We also recommend checking the original planning permission of the building to make sure that conditions aren’t laid out that might require you to obtain planning permission.
If you live in a listed building or in a designated area, then you’ll need to check with your local authority to get any changes made to the building approved.
ARE FRENCH DOORS EXPENSIVE?
The price of French patio doors varies widely depending on a lot of different factors. For example, PVC French Doors and Aluminium French Doors both have different price points, as will the type of glazing you choose. The price will also increase with size, as more materials are required to create the final design for a larger door.
HOW TO ADJUST FRENCH DOORS?
Over the years, it’s a possibility that French doors (particularly PVC Doors) can drop slightly. This can cause draughts and issues with the alignment of the locks.
Thankfully, it’s easy to readjust your doors and fix these problems. All you’ll need is an Allen key (or hex key as they’re also known). Find the spot on the hinge where this key will fit, and rotate the key to tighten or loosen the doors and pull them closer or push them further away from the frame – whichever direction fixes the alignment issues.
It’s important to note that some forms of French Doors may require the removal of a protective cover in order to find the hex shape and make these adjustments. If you can’t find the hex shape, don’t start tearing up your doors searching for it – call an expert in to avoid damaging your doors!
If you have any questions that weren't answered in this article or need some advice about French Doors, please click here to contact our team - we're always happy to help!